The government is set to sell Indian onions at Tk 40 per kg under a special sales drive of the Trading Corporation Bangladesh (TCB), State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu said on Sunday.
He said local traders have also assured the government of their cooperation in maintaining a normal supply chain and keeping prices of essential items under control in future, including the upcoming Eid-ul- Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha.
The state minister was addressing a press conference after a taskforce meeting on supply, prices and stocks of essential commodities at his secretariat office.
He claimed that there are sufficient stocks of soybean, onions, garlic, ginger, lentil and sugar in the country to meet the demands in the coming days irrespective of international market developments.
"There is no problem with sugar … mill owners have assured us of keeping the sugar market stable," he said, adding that the traders including wholesalers have assured to ensure sufficient supply of essential items.
The first consignment of Indian onions was scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh by Sunday night with items to be sold to the end consumers at Tk 40 per kilogram (kg) at retail level, said the state minister.
The consignment of 1,650 tonnes of onions is being carried by train and the sales will start within two days through the appointed dealers in Dhaka and Chattogram, he added.
He also pointed out that sugar import would not be required at this moment as the item has a good supply in the local markets.
Earlier, the commerce ministry initiated importing 50,000 tonnes of onion and 20,000 tonnes of sugar from India through government-to-government arrangement.
Mr Titu claimed that the market of essential items is now at a tolerable level despite there are some challenges. Mr Titu said: "I am satisfied with the market situation. Prices of many products have fallen."
He added: "Necessary work is underway to deal with such challenges. Necessary steps are being taken to have stable prices throughout the year. Planning for 12 months is being prepared," he said.
The state minister further informed that rice will be sold in the market as per its varieties from the first day of Baishakh.
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